Portable computer having display mode changed according to attachment/detachment of pen and control method thereof

Abstract

Disclosed is a portable computer comprising a main body, and a display part having a tablet allowing a user to input information with a pen, and displaying a picture based on a video signal transmitted from the main body. The portable computer has a pen-mounting portion to which the pen is detachably attached; an attachment/detachment sensor detects whether the pen is attached to or detached from the pen-mounting portion; and a controller controlling the display part to have a portrait display mode when the attachment/detachment sensor detects that the pen is detached from the pen-mounting portion, and controlling the display part to have a landscape display mode when the attachment/detachment sensor detects that the pen is attached to the pen-mounting portion.

1 . A portable computer comprising a main body, and a display part having a tablet allowing a user to input information with a pen, and displaying a picture based on a video signal transmitted from the main body, the portable computer comprising: 
 a pen-mounting portion to which the pen is detachably attached;    an attachment/detachment sensor for detecting whether the pen is attached to or detached from the pen-mounting portion; and    a controller for controlling the display part to have a portrait display mode when the attachment/detachment sensor detects that the pen is detached from the pen-mounting portion, and controlling the display part to have a landscape display mode when the attachment/detachment sensor detects that the pen is attached to the pen-mounting portion.    
     
     
         2 . The portable computer according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller comprises a microcomputer generating a predetermined key code on the basis of the detected result of the attachment/detachment sensor, and a video driver changing the display mode in correspondence to the key code generated by the microcomputer.  
     
     
         3 . The portable computer according to  claim 1 , wherein the attachment/detachment sensor comprises a switch for outputting high and low signals according to the attachment or detachment, respectively, of the pen.  
     
     
         4 . The portable computer according to  claim 1 , wherein the attachment/detachment sensor comprises a switch for outputting low and high signals according to the attachment or detachment, respectively, of the pen.  
     
     
         5 . The portable computer according to  claim 1 , wherein the display part further comprises a tablet that accepts inputs from the detached pen when the display is in portrait display mode.  
     
     
         6 . A method of controlling a portable computer comprising a main body, and a display part having a tablet allowing a user to input information with a pen, and displaying a picture based on a video signal transmitted from the main body, the method comprising the steps of: 
 detecting the attachment and detachment of the pen; and    controlling the display part to have a portrait display mode on the basis of detecting the detachment of the pen and to have a landscape display mode on the basis of detecting the attachment of the pen.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the controlling step further comprises the steps of: 
 generating a predetermined key code on the basis of the detected result of the attachment/detachment sensor; and    changing the display mode in correspondence to the generated key code.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the sensing step further comprises outputting high and low signals according to the attachment or detachment, respectively, of the pen.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the sensing step further comprises outputting low and high signals according to the attachment or detachment, respectively, of the pen.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the step of accepting inputs from the detached pen when the display is in portrait display mode.